In the unpredictable world of Bollywood, where public personas are dissected daily, the concept of family has become just as layered and cinematic as the films themselves. Behind the headlines and glamour, Bollywood’s stars are redefining what it means to be part of a blended family. Made up of ex-spouses, new partners, stepchildren, half-siblings, and the occasional grandparent-turned-best-friend, these families show us that family doesn’t need to fit neatly into any conventional mould.
Take the family portrait Farhan Akhtar shared from his daughter Shakya’s convocation, where ex-spouses, step-parents, and multiple generations of family members came together, not as fractured parts of a complex story but as a single cohesive unit. Farhan’s ex-wife, Adhuna Bhabani, stood proudly alongside him, his current wife Shibani Dandekar, and his parents, Javed Akhtar and Honey Irani, with Javed’s wife Shabana Azmi completing the circle.
Shibani has spoken warmly about Adhuna, crediting her with raising “open-minded daughters.” Meanwhile, Shabana, reflecting on her bond with Javed’s children, has said, “I wasn’t the stepmother. I was just Shabana.” In these words lies a unspoken truth about blended families: the strength to coexist and thrive comes from the ability to strip away titles and approach each relationship with openness and respect.
Allies After Separation
We see ex-spouses becoming allies and step-parents emerging as trusted guides. Take Hrithik Roshan, for example, whose close friendship with his ex-wife, Sussanne Khan, remains unshaken despite their divorce. It has grown to include Sussanne’s boyfriend, Arslan Goni. Hrithik said in an interview, “We love each other for who we are.” For his part, Arslan has spoken about the unique connection, saying, “People find it difficult, but it’s very easy between us. I have immense respect for Hrithik.” Here, respect is the unspoken language, creating a balance where Hrithik, Sussanne, and Arslan have reshaped the idea of what family can look like in the face of change. Hrithik is currently dating singer and actress Saba Azad.
Bollywood’s blended families are a study in acceptance and adaptation, qualities that seem almost radical in a society so often tethered to traditional family structures. There’s something beautiful in watching Sara Ali Khan, Saif Ali Khan’s daughter from his marriage to Amrita Singh, embrace her father’s second family. Sara’s respect for her stepmother Kareena Kapoor Khan is rooted not in formality but in genuine rapport. She’s often said she sees Kareena more as a friend than as a mother. It’s a dynamic that works precisely because Sara has the freedom to define the relationship on her own terms. This openness, this flexibility to create new definitions for old relationships, enables blended families to grow without resentment or jealousy.
Not every blended family in Bollywood finds its balance so easily. Relationships are often fraught with tension, requiring immense patience and empathy. Screenwriter and Salman Khan's father Salim Khan’s family is perhaps one of the most well-known examples. His two wives Salma and Helen navigate a shared life that challenges the traditional boundaries of marriage. Helen and Salma, bound by love for the same man, have formed a close-knit bond. They’ve chosen mutual respect and companionship over bitterness or rivalry. Their relationship speaks volumes about the silent work of blended families: the day-to-day negotiations, the conscious choices to hold hands rather than harbour grudges, and the ability to see each other as part of a collective whole, where everyone’s emotions matter.
Generational Shift
In these Bollywood families, we also see how the generational shift in attitudes plays a role. Pankaj Kapur’s relationship with his son, Shahid Kapoor, from his first marriage with Neelima Azeem reflects a dynamic shaped not by obligation but by choice. Kapur once mentioned that he “constantly tries to stay in touch” with his children, suggesting that in blended families, relationships require active nurturing, like plants needing regular watering and sunlight. Shahid, in turn, embraces this effort, showing that blended families thrive when everyone, regardless of age, contributes to maintaining the bond.
Then there’s Masaba Gupta, the fashion designer who epitomises a new wave of acceptance in Bollywood’s blended families. Born to actress Neena Gupta and former cricketer Viv Richards, Masaba’s life could have easily been marked by her parents’ separation and different continents. Yet, she’s managed to carve out a close, deeply respectful relationship with both parents. Gupta's husband Vivek Mehra entered her life as a solid, loving figure. His relationship with Masaba is not one imposed by biology but built on mutual acceptance.